By: Angel Pendragon.
Given the increase of social media scandals over the last few years, backlash over the dark side of the matter has been circling, ironically, through the voice of the new villain.
Is it really an illness?
Taking into consideration that we are now raising generations that have been born after the start of the internet boom, we have to ask ourselves:
How can we address harmful patterns, without creating new ones?
It is agreeable that the need for people to unplug, is important to human health; to improve connection with natural surroundings.
But, to end the power of what social media is to the people, is more of a threat to freedom of speech, than a concern for human wellbeing.
For new methods to work successfully overtime, many aspects have to be brought into the conversation.
Who, and how does the concern at hand impact?
– The positive and negative facets
– The areas and the lives at stake
For example, regulation over potential abuse of freedoms, and healthy campaigns that encourage personal engagement with the self, environment, and others, could be two methods that can be integrated seamlessly, while using social media with aid from AI technology to deliver the message.
Turning an issue, into a source of resolve.
Social Media is an instrument that is not only used to help grow the economy, and financial sustainability of many, but it is also one that connects people to the world, and all its potential.
From learning possibilities, to been able to find help when in need, and communicate a message where otherwise it possesses a challenge; social media has become the voice of the people.
As with children, perhaps what is needed, is not to stifle the curious and inquiring voices, but to raise the bar of the content we are presenting.
What are we teaching?
Weather a trivial, spontaneous moment, to media labeled as educational, establishing ground rules, and educating the creators is also an important, necessary step.
“The master was once a student”
If we take as an example the January events with YouTube, and more recently, Facebook, we can understand the importance in bringing a voice of wisdom to light the trail, amidst chaos.
“Flowing like water”
It is not through harsh approaches that unity is built but, through open communication that is patient to listen, while ushering valid counter points to present arguments.
Compromise.
Just as not everything is perfect, not everything is terrible.
By bringing opposites to a middle ground, we are able to find a more synchronized path in which to engage towards beneficial change.
It won’t always be smooth, and it is only a beginning to an everlasting journey; however, as the journey beginnings, the opportunity to continue towards evolution is presented when we have to reinvent ourselves, in face of new adversity, and challenge.
END.
January 17th, 2018.
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